This is a little further, but we love it. Fun, but not overly expensive. Pretty relaxed non type A crowd.

https://www.fairviewlakeymca.org/

Anonymous wrote:Www.burgundycenter.org
This is great for a play-in-the-mud kid.
Lots of activities, pond swimming, art, song, but mostly just being in, and learning about, nature while having fun with the kids around. Rarely over 30 kids at the camp each session. High staff:camper ratio.
There’s a 1 week session for her age group.

+100 Burgundy was wonderful for my play-in-the-mud noncompetitive girl. She started in 4th grade and went every summer until she aged out and then did staff for a couple years. Only downside was she'd often be a PITA for a bit when she got home because she was sad to not be living in the woods.

Years ago there was a “camp lady” who offered suggestions based on budget, kids’ interests, etc. Is she still doing this?

yes, we used her a couple of years ago too and she was great, helped us find a camp that DD still attends and loves. the service is free as long as you book the camps through her. it looks like there are other advisors there now too.

Sorry realizing she’s rising 3rd, so next summer she wouldn’t be ready for firefly song but if you want it’s worth looking at Barn Day Camp. There are multiple families (including ours) from the DC area that drive up and stay for two weeks and work remotely from there so our kids can go to Barn Day Camp. It is FANTASTIC. Everything you describe and will get her prepped for overnight camp the next year. The kids have so much fun and the last night of camp they do a one or two night camping trip (depending on age, she would probably do a two night) so they work up to that over the two weeks. If you do 4th session you can participate in Fair the Saturday after camp ends which is an all camp celebration with all the overnight camps and it will give you a great sense of the camp culture overall (and is so much fun!!). I realize not everyone has remote options, I would take pto for this camp but I realize that is a bit weird

https://www.farmandwilderness.org/camps/barn-day-camp

Op please look at Farm and Wilderness camp in Vermont - you couldn’t have described it more perfectly. It sounds absolutely perfect for your tween. Such a special place and a unique camp culture that emphasizes collaboration over competition. Animals, outdoors. The kids take care of animals, milk comes from the older kids camp farm etc. Camping trips. It has all of it. I can’t say enough good things about how intentional and well run this entire camp system is. The counselors are incredibly well trained. We thank our lucky stars every summer we found it for our kids.

https://www.farmandwilderness.org/

Specifically at her age she would likely go to Firefly song (there at multiple camps, more options as kids get older):
https://www.farmandwilderness.org/camps/fs
Here is a podcast with the director of firefly song, I found the podcast a nice way to get to know the different camps and how thoughtful they are: https://farmandwilderness.podbean.com/e/interview-with-clarissa-director-of-firefly-song/

Anonymous wrote:You don't have a lot of options for that age group. Maybe girl scout camp, you can join just for the camp.

I would also look into the Poconos area, lots of camps there.

Girl Scout camps are very basic, get girls outside camps. They are usually one week and a lottery.

https://www.gscnc.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/camp-and-outdoors/summer-camp.html

YMCA Camp Hi Rock in MA, especially if your kid is into water sports. Gorgeous private lake, so kids can learn sailing, water skiing, kayaking, etc. Sports — water-based and other (lots of good rock climbing and high rope options too) are not competitive at all. Almost all options are outdoors.